Business Law
The firm’s focus is on the needs of the small business owner: what form of entity works best; corporate maintenance; drafting, reviewing, and advising on contracts of all kinds, including commercial leases; employee manuals; employee and contractor issues and counseling; and business sales and purchase.
In small business matters, the firm does everything from a specific one-time need to acting as outside general counsel for its clients.
Company Formation
The firm offers guidance to clients in deciding whether to incorporate or to form a limited liability company (LLC) or to conduct business in some other manner, including sole proprietorship and fictitious names. The client is advised to also seek a tax professional’s assistance to evaluate the tax consideration relevant to each option.
Incorporation
A simple do-it-yourself approach to incorporation is usually not enough for founders who understand the liabilities associated with incomplete or incorrectly prepared paperwork and corporate records. For simple incorporations in Florida, the firm offers a package for a reasonable fixed fee, that includes the state filing requirements, and the set up of the corporate book with initial bylaws, organizational minutes, elections, and stock issuance.
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
The limited liability company (LLC) is a popular choice for small businesses. The LLC has attributes of a corporation and a partnership, with advantages from both. A common mistake of do-it-yourselfers is to not have an operating agreement or to have one that is lacking key provisions.
For simple LLC’s in Florida, the firm offers a package for a reasonable fixed fee that includes state filing requirements, a customized operating agreement, and amendments as may be required by your chosen tax professional.
Partnerships
The firm prepares general partnership, limited partnership, and limited liability partnership (LLP) agreements and related documentation. For single-purpose partnering situations, the firm prepares joint venture agreements and related documentation.
Employment
Employees present one of the largest liability risks for a business. There are numerous statutes and court rulings giving employees the right to sue rendering this area a minefield even for careful employers. Employers must therefore consider complex legal issues in order to maximize their protection.
The firm assists small businesses with employment agreements; non-compete agreements; employee manuals and policy issues; and employment issues, such as hiring, firing, work place issues, personnel policies and separation agreements.